Thierry LeRoux, slain Quebec police officer, honoured in Chicoutimi

The funeral for Thierry LeRoux, the 26-year-old police officer shot and killed in the Algonquin community ofLac-Simon earlier this month, was held todayin Chicoutimi, Que.

LeRoux'scasket, draped in the flag of the Lac-Simon police force,was brought into aChicoutimi cathedralby aSretduQubec honour guard.

• Police officer, 2nd man killed in shooting inLac-Simon, Que.
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Premier Philippe Couillard joined LeRoux's friends and family, as well as dozens of police officers, at the service.

Joanie Vaillancourt,LeRoux'sgirlfriend, took a deep breath before offering her eulogy.

"Today is incredibly difficult because I have to say good-bye to you," she said. "You are, and will always be, the love of my life."

LeRoux was also remembered as an avid hockey player and loyal friend.

"When he walked into a room, the atmosphere changed," said his childhood friend Simon Villeneuve.

LeRouxwas killed on Feb. 13afterhe and his partner responded to a call about a domestic dispute inLac-Simon,nearVal-d'Or, about 500 kilometres northwest of Montreal.

Investigators saidthe gunman was 22-year-old Joseph Anthony Raymond-Papatie, who killedhimself afterwards.

A native of Amos, Que., LeRouxhad been working in the community for only six months with the local aboriginal police force.This was his second contract.